Hello from the MTC!

The MTC has been an incredible experience. Here are all the new senior missionaries that entered the MTC with us on Monday, July 18, 2022!

Truly heading "down under" We were given an invitation by our Mission President via his counselor to "Share with your family "how you have come to know God better."

Here's our new home for 9 days!

Here's our awesome teachers and our group for 5 days studying "Preach my Gospel"

The Janssens (going to Germany), us, the Evans (going to Tahiti), and our teacher Brother Williams. We are all welfare, self-reliance missionaries. There is a "no hug - no touch" rule due to some breakouts of covid happening here at the MTC. Sad!

This is all of our group with our 2nd teacher, Sister Mando. We have learned some great things. We have had a lot of fun learning.

Here's a beautiful morning view from one of our daily walks. Can you see the temple across the street from the MTC? We walk all around the campus at about 5:15 am each morning. They also have a wonderful gym in the basement. We like to use the elliptical for a few minutes.

This is why we need to exercise hard every day! The cafeteria!!! Oh my goodness! Talk about living at Chuck-o-Rama for 9 days. I LOVE this part!!! I'll try not to focus too much on this, but just a sneak peak. . . . for you future missionaries!

Unlimited Creamies: Cocoanut, raspberry, mango, root beer, chocolate, orange, banana!!! Oh my goodness!

There is a wonderful salad bar, oatmeal bar and lots of delicious entrees every meal. Even gluten-free stuff. Everyone is always smiling, saying "hi" and so kind, and enthusiastic. Everyone is working hard to learn in this beautiful place and we are unified in our work for a common goal. Disneyland is NOT the happiest place in the world.

On Tuesday night, we got to go to a special devotional where Elder Kacher and his wife spoke. We both got to sing "More Holiness Give Me" with a choir of over 300 missionaries. It was a wonderful experience.

Highlights:

God can do His work no matter where you are! Watch for and expect miracles everyday and acknowledge God's hand in it!

3 Barriers that get in the way of reaching our potential:

1. Unresolved sin

2. Fear of Man rather than fear of God

3. Unbelief

Move from being inward and downward to being outward and upward!

On Wednesday night, we finally met our mission President at the MTC, President Benson L. Porter, who served his mission in Perth, Australia! How cool is that? We had a "Character of Christ" experience with Elder Bednar. It was incredible. This first link is his hour long audio original version at the MTC 2011.

https://youtu.be/lTf9jjVJD3Q

This link is a shorter version (35 minutes) 5 years later at Ricks college that is him speaking. This would be fun to watch as a family, for a taste of this MTC experience. (Highlight and copy in new tab) https://youtu.be/LWOVwycSor0

On Thursday night we got to go to the beautiful Provo Temple.

When we get in the mission field, we get 1 hour of personal study and 1 hour of companion study everyday. This is such a great, great privilege. We are sure lucky to have such a good companion!

Saturday, we had some very needed and appreciated rest time. We walked up past the temple close to trailheads by the mountain. One more beautiful temple picture.

Sunday, July 24, was completely packed. We had a very spiritual, "Go and Do" experience where we had 2 special hours as companions to pray, study, ponder and receive personal revelation about our mission. We loved the scripture Mosiah 4:11-12 as the key to always feeling Heavenly Father's love in our life and as a wonderful mission mantra.

Monday July 25, 2022 How excited we were to meet up with our wonderful son-in-law, Dane's, sweet parents - Nolan and Sharon Johnson - who just arrived at the MTC this morning.